Paper-feeding mechanism



PAPER FEEDING MECHANl SM Filed Deoqls, 1924 3 Sheets-sheet 1 June 5, 1928.

R. HITCHCOCK PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 13, 1924 June 5, 1928.

R. HITCHCOCK PAPER FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Deo. 13, 1924 5 sheets-Sheet 3 my L,

lu dell l'oz Ramsau Hxrcunacx.

` Patented June 5, 1928.

Y UNITED -sTATEs 1,672,412 PATENT oFFlcE.

REUBEN HITCHCOCK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T THE CLEVELAND FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

PAPER-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Applicatin med December 13, 1924. Serial No. 755,797.

My invention more particularly relates to improvements in the rotary suction-feeding head of an appliance for feeding sheets of paper individually, and has for its object the provision of suitable mechanism for evenly applying the partial vacuum to the individual sheets for initially advanclng them lone at a time and for immediately releasing each sheet when it has been sufficiently advanced by a given set of apertures 1n the suction head. l

The rotary suction head has been recognized as an appliance having marked advantages for feeding sheets of paper, but certain disadvantages in the use thereof have developed, such as unequally attracting and releasing the paper throughout the length of the device.l It has been suggested that the suction shall be applied intermediately of the suction openings in the head, but this involves a more complicated construction, two or more positions for maintaining a relative seal and a slightly retarded action; moreover, the openings or opening in the suction head that are directly opposite the central opening are more efficient than are the terminal openings, hence equalized action is only approximated. y

Accordingly, I have provided a rotary suction head for paper-feeding machines wherein the suction openings are of graduated size from end to end in each row thereof, which openings are connected to a passageway or chamber affording maximum suction effect for the graduated openings of the associated row.

The features and operation of the pre ferred embodiment of invention may best be explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a paper-feeding machine to which my improvements have applied, v

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view upon an enlarged scale showing my improved rotary suction head,

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional 'view thereof,

Fig. 5 is another vertical sectional view illustrating a modification of the suction head of Figs. 3 and 4, and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Throughout the several figures of the drawingsI have employed the same char-- acter of reference to indicate similar parts. In the machine of Figures l and 2 the sheets of paper a are advanced from the feeding belt b upon the right to the rolls c of the feed table upon the left. The suction head d is splined for rotation by the shaft d at any position of adjustment along said shaft as required by the size of the .sheets that are to be fed from time to time, the direction of rotation being clockwise. The suction head is annularly grooved at d to accommodate the wires d adjacent to its lower face- Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the suction openings d3 of the suction head are graduated in size along each row thereof and from end to end; the smaller openings being adjacent to the leftshand side and to the inlet opening e connected with the usual suction system of the paper-feeding machine. A face plate e maintains the partial vacuum thereby produced as' each chamber or communicating passage d* is brought into register with the opening e by the rotation of the suction head. This passage or chamber is of such size as to .equalize the suction effect upon the graduated openings of the suction head; serving immediately to break the seal and release the paper from any given row as soon as the suction head has been rotated to bring the chamber d* out of alignment with the opening e and its faceplate e asl indicated by the full and dotted lines in the ,the inner peripheral bearing o the member upon the sleevelike surface of the head transversely of its graduated openings. The operation of these two types of suction head, however, is identical and -the even and uniform application and release of the suction the suction head feeding effect is thereby obtained. The sheets of paper are individually advanced without any tendency to deflect them or to cling at one end or the other of the suction head, otherwise due to unequal application momentarily of the tractive effect. This effect is initiated .or produced through the pipe d5 whic-h is connected with the exhaust port e.

Moreover, it will be observed that the stripper' members d are positioned to engage the sheets of paper intermediately of the ends of the suctio-n head and terminally thereof, whereby the sheets are successively and effectively released from the disconnected rows of inlet openings (Z3. The intermediately positioned stripper is of particularl advantageous service in connection with re atively narrow or small sheets Vof paper that it may be desirable to advance through the sheet-feeding mechanism. It will be ob served that the strippers are mounted to extend on both sides of the suction head, better to direct the sheets as they are fed and prevent the tendencyl to follow or conform to l the periphery of the grooved suction head.

These ,resilient wire strippermembers are preferably positioned in the grooved periphery of the suction head and are not cumbersome or in the wayy of other apparatus while insuring maximum efiiciency in the suction-tractive effect and immediate release of the sheets.

My improved suctionhead is simple and relatively cheap to construct, while the type shown in Figs. 3 ,and 4 presents the easiest means for applying the suction through a single port successively `to the openin s ot graduated size. However, I do not .esire to be understood as limiting myself strictly to these modifications of my improved construction nor ton the means for effecting a graduated actionflongitudinally of the suction head for obtaining the desirable, even tractive effect above mentioned.

Having now described embodiments of my v invention in association with paper-feeding mechanism, I claim. as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

1. A suction-feeding head, comprising a cylindrical member and means for axially rotating the same; said member havin a plurality of rows of suction openings iiisposed peripherally thereof, the openings in each row being graduated in size from end to end and bemg connected b a transverse chamber open at one end adjacent to the smaller openings,substantially as set forth.

2. A suction-feeding head of the class de- `scribed having a 'plurality of longitudinal Iplurality of rows of suction openings disposed peripherally thereof. the openings in each row being graduated in size from end to end and connected b a transverse chamber open terminally adJacent to the smaller openings of the associated row.- and means for rotating the suction head with the transverse chambers successively in and out of register with a suction opening, substantially as set forth.

4. In a sheet-feeding mechanism, the combination with a rotatable suction head having a plurality of longitudinally associated rows of'suction openings graduated in size from end to end and individual transverse passages opening at one end of the suction head adjacent to the smaller graduated suction openings, and a port with which said passages successively are adapted to bc brought into and out of register as the suction heady is rotated in the machine',7 substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do now aiiix my signature.

- REUBEN HITCHCOCK. 

